Context:
Recently, chip designer Qualcomm said that it is partnering with Alphabet’s Google to make wearable devices like smartwatches using chips based on RISC-V technology.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- About RISC-V Technology
- How RISC-V Works
- Benefits of RISC-V
About RISC-V Technology:
- Pronunciation: Known as “risk five,” it is an open-source technology.
- Open-Source ISA: RISC-V is an open-source Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) designed for creating custom processors suitable for various applications.
- RISC Generation: Considered as the fifth generation of processors, following the principles of Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture.
- Origin: Began as a project at UC Berkeley, with the aim to develop an open-source computer system based on RISC principles.
- Evolution: Initially intended for academic purposes, it is now managed by RISC-V International.
How RISC-V Works:
- Open Standard: RISC-V is defined by member companies of RISC-V International, a global nonprofit organization responsible for the ISA.
- Collaborative Innovation: Through collaboration, member companies contribute to processor innovation, fostering design flexibility.
- Core Instructions: Features a concise set of instructions that underpin all software design within the architecture.
- Customization: Allows designers to tailor and construct processors tailored to specific applications.
Benefits of RISC-V:
- Open Standard: Facilitates industry-wide collaboration and innovation.
- Transparency: The entire RISC-V architecture is accessible in the public domain, eliminating the possibility of hidden elements.
- Applications: RISC-V finds utility in a variety of domains, including wearables, industrial applications, IoT, home appliances, smartphones, automotive systems, high-performance computing (HPC), and data centers.
-Source: The Hindu
